Venus Williams is bidding to win her sixth Wimbledon singles title and eighth Grand Slam -- nine years after last lifting the aptly-named Venus Rosewater Dish on Centre Court.

Venus Williams will take on Johanna Konta in Wimbledon women’s singles semis. (AP)

American veteran Venus Williams was sharpening her reactions for the barrage of big serves she can expect in her Wimbledon semi-final against British favourite Johanna Konta on Thursday, going through a relentless practise routine on the eve of battle.

The 37-year-old spent 45 minutes on the dusty Aorangi Park practise courts on Wednesday, hitting back serves delivered at high velocity by a male hitting partner.

Following her quarter-final victory over Jelena Ostapenko, Williams told a news conference that she would be expecting a close battle with her British opponent.

“I think we play a very similar style,” she said. “Aggressive, serve well, return well, very solid off the ground. So really it’s just about playing that game better and see where you find openings on that day.”

Williams is bidding to win her sixth Wimbledon singles title and eighth grand slam -- nine years after last lifting the aptly-named Venus Rosewater Dish on Centre Court.

Konta, who will be playing in her first Wimbledon semi-final, is attempting to become the first British winner of the women’s singles since Virginia Wade in 1977.